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On 12 June, the US finally took final comments before introducing mandatory requirements for its security program, Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), affecting air freight entering the country. Carriers and forwarders are now required to submit cargo data to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prior to loading shipments onto an aircraft.
How to be compliant with ACAS
Under the new ACAS rules, it is mandatory for carriers flying cargo into the US (both as a destination and in-transit) to file the 7+1 data elements with the CBP. These include;
- Air waybill number
- Shipper’s name and address
- Consignee’s name and address
- A description of the cargo
- Quantity
- Weight
Carriers are not the only ones affected by this regulation. ACAS poses some serious problems for forwarders as well, as most of the 7+1 data must be collected well before shipments reach the tarmac. If forwarders do not collect and submit the proper information, their shipments could potentially meet delays – or face penalties from the carrier. Even though the mandatory party is the carrier, the forwarder is also able to file for security clearance, something already taken up by many larger freight forwarding companies. As always, every company wants to keep an eye on its shipments, hence why many value the capability for tracking shipment progress along the way to ensure it is never held or delayed due to non-compliance.
To better understand the rules, please refer to our handy ACAS Compliance information sheet, or refer to the United States Customs & Border Protection website.
Our advance cargo screening software can help
Traxon Global Security (TGS), which is based on CHAMP’s successful customs compliance solution, Traxon Global Customs (TGC), was launched earlier this year (Jan 2018) with MNG Airlines for US Air Cargo Advance Screening compliance. TGS, like it’s cousin TGC, allows airlines, GHAs, and forwarders to access, use, and input all the necessary and relevant data required by the authorities. Users can track the progress and success of the shipments easily and efficiently with automated alerts triggered every step of the way (milestones). In a nutshell, it ensures compliance with ACAS and future PLACI regulations as a standalone application.
In addition to sharing the shipment data with the security authorities in the right format, TGS also enables effortless data sharing between partners in the supply chain, designed to increase transparency and visibility.
Future Regulations
TGS was developed with future regulations in mind. That is why it has been designed to support future PLACI schemes, as well.
Similar to ACAS, Canada is currently in the pilot phase of its own new regulatory security scheme, the Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting (PACT), for air freight filing. The European Union’s Pre-Loading Consignment Information for Secure Entry (PRECISE) program is also in the planning phases for air cargo service providers to provide shipment data ahead of the consignment’s flight time.
For more information on Pre-Load Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) and customs filing for air cargo, please click here.
